Light-emitting device with improved brightness control and narrow frame and electronic apparatus with the light-emitting device

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a light-emitting device and an electronic apparatus, which are capable of preventing reduction of the amount of current flowing through light-emitting elements and which have an excellent display characteristic. Cathode wiring lines connected to a cathode are provided to surround an effective area outside the effective area where a plurality of pixels having light-emitting elements are provided. First to third power source lines connected to pixel electrodes are provided between the cathode wiring lines and the effective area.

This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 11/979,207, filed Oct.31, 2007, which in turn is a Continuation of application Ser. No.11/403,933 filed Apr. 14, 2006, which in turn is a Continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 10/445,190 filed May 27, 2003. The disclosures ofthe prior applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a light-emitting device and anelectronic apparatus using the same.

2. Description of Related Art

Related art organic electroluminescence (EL) display devices havinglight-emitting elements using an organic-light-emitting material betweena substrate, in which pixel electrodes are formed, and a counterelectrode, are disclosed in Gazette of Japanese Unexamined PatentApplication Publication No. 5-3080.

In the organic EL display devices, the light-emitting elements emitlight by supplying current to the light-emitting elements. At that time,the brightness of the light-emitting element is determined by the amountof current basically supplied thereto.

It is necessary to accurately set the amount of current to have adesired value because the brightness of such light-emitting elements isbasically determined by the amount of supplied current.

In order to secure a sufficient amount of current, the width of wiringlines to supply current increases. Accordingly, a frame area increases.Therefore, it is difficult to mount light-emitting elements on variouselectronic apparatuses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above and/or other difficulties, the present inventionsecures a sufficient amount of current or prevents a change in thebrightness of the light-emitting element due to change in power sourcevoltage. The present invention also provides a light-emitting device andan electronic apparatus capable of satisfying the above necessities andof narrowing the frame.

A first light-emitting device according to the present inventionincludes a plurality of pixels, which are provided in an effective areaon a substrate, including light-emitting elements having light-emittinglayers interposed between first electrodes and a second electrode; andelectrode wiring lines connected to the second electrode outside theeffective area. The electrode wiring lines are extended along at leastone side among a plurality of sides forming the outer periphery of thesubstrate and a plurality of sides forming the outer periphery of theeffective area.

Because the electrode wiring lines are extended along at least one sideamong a plurality of sides forming the outer circumference of thesubstrate, it is possible to secure sufficient area where the secondelectrode contacts the electrode wiring lines.

A second light-emitting device includes a plurality of pixels, which areprovided in an effective area on a substrate, including light-emittingelements having light-emitting layers interposed between firstelectrodes and a second electrode; and electrode wiring lines connectedto the second electrode outside the effective area. The electrode wiringlines are provided in the effective area rather than in the outercircumference of the second electrode.

According to the above light-emitting device, it is possible to securesufficient area where the second electrode contacts the electrode wiringlines line and to narrow a frame.

A third light-emitting device includes a plurality of pixels, which areprovided in an effective area on a substrate, including light-emittingelements having light-emitting layers interposed between firstelectrodes and second electrode, electrode wiring lines connected to thesecond electrode outside the effective area, and a circuit disposedoutside the effective area for supplying electrical signals to theplurality of pixels. The second electrode is formed to cover theeffective area and the circuit.

According to the above light-emitting device, it is possible to reduceor prevent the exposure of the light-emitting element and the circuit toair and deterioration by water or oxygen in the air. Also, it ispossible to shield light from the second electrode and to reduce orprevent malfunction of the circuit due to light leakage. Also, it ispossible to reduce or remove charges injected from the outside by, forexample, static electricity through the second electrode.

A fourth light-emitting device includes a plurality of pixels, which areprovided in an effective area on a substrate, including light-emittingelements having light-emitting layers interposed between firstelectrodes and a second electrode; electrode wiring lines connected tothe second electrode outside the effective area; and power source linesconnected to the first electrodes outside the effective area througheffective area power source lines provided in the effective area. Thepower source lines are provided to be closer to the effective area thanthe electrode wiring lines.

According to the above light-emitting device, it is possible to reducerisk, such as breaking of wiring, because it is possible to reduce aportion where the electrode wiring lines crosses the power source lines.

Also, so called effective area power source lines specificallycorrespond to, for example, display power source lines discussed below.

A fifth light-emitting device includes a plurality of pixels, which areprovided in an effective area on a substrate, including light-emittingelements having light-emitting layers interposed between firstelectrodes and a second electrode; electrode wiring lines connected tothe second electrode outside the effective area; and power source linesconnected to the first electrodes outside the effective area througheffective area power source lines provided in the effective area. Thesecond electrode covers at least some of the power source lines and theelectrode wiring lines.

It is possible to form capacity between the second electrode and thepower source lines or between the second electrode and the electrodewiring line because the second electrode and at least some of the powersource lines and the electrode wiring lines overlap each other.Accordingly, even though voltage of the power source lines or voltage ofthe electrode wiring lines changes, it is possible to reduce the changeby a corresponding capacity and to reduce or suppress a change in thebrightness of the light-emitting element due to the change in thevoltage of the power source lines or the voltage of the electrode wiringlines.

A sixth light-emitting device includes a plurality of pixels, which areprovided in an effective area on a substrate, including light-emittingelements having light-emitting layers interposed between firstelectrodes and a second electrode; electrode wiring lines connected tothe second electrode outside the effective area; and power source linesconnected to the first electrodes outside the effective area througheffective area power source lines provided in the effective area. Thepower source lines are formed of a plurality of wiring layers blocked byan interlayer insulating film and a conductive material electricallyconnecting the plurality of wiring layers to each other.

Accordingly, it is possible to reduce breaking of wiring in the powersource lines.

The above light-emitting device further includes a sealing membercovering the second electrode. The sealing member is preferablyconnected to a connection portion on the substrate. At least some of theelectrode wiring lines preferably overlaps the connection portion. It ispossible to narrow the frame by effectively using the space of theconnection portion.

According to the above light-emitting device, it is preferable that thesubstrate is rectangular and that the electrode wiring lines arearranged between three sides among four sides forming the outercircumference of the substrate and the effective area.

It is possible to secure sufficient area where the electrode wiringlines are electrically connected to the second electrode because theelectrode wiring lines are provided around the effective area.

Furthermore, it is possible to reduce or prevent voltage drop caused bydragging wiring because it is possible to significantly reduce thewiring lines distance between the plurality of pixels and the electrodewiring lines.

According to the above light-emitting device, scanning lines to supplyscanning signal to the plurality of pixels and data lines to supply datasisal to the plurality of pixels are preferably provided in theeffective area. The electrode wiring lines are preferably formed of thesame material as either the material of the scanning lines or thematerial of the data lines. The electrode wiring lines are preferablyformed of the same process as either the process of forming the scanninglines or the process of forming the data lines.

According to the light-emitting device, the electrode wiring lines arepreferably formed of a plurality of wiring layers blocked by aninterlayer insulating film and a conductive material electricallyconnecting the plurality of wiring layers to each other.

The light-emitting device preferably comprises a sealing member coveringthe second electrode. The sealing member is preferably connected to aconnection portion on the substrate. At least some of the power sourcelines preferably overlaps the connection portion.

According to the above light-emitting device, preferably, the firstelectrode is a pixel electrode and the second electrode is a commonelectrode provided above the pixel electrode.

According to the above light-emitting device, preferably, the firstelectrode is an anode and the second electrode is a cathode.

According to the above light-emitting device, the area occupied by aconnection portion where the electrode wiring lines are connected to thesecond electrode is preferably at least 50% of the area of the electrodewiring lines.

An electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes theabove light-emitting devices.

The electronic apparatus has an excellent display characteristic becausethe electronic apparatus has the above light-emitting devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing an exemplary embodiment of alight-emitting device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view taken along plane A-B of thelight-emitting device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing a significant portion ofthe light-emitting device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a wiring lines structure of thelight-emitting device shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5A-5C are schematic plan views showing the arrangement of alight-emitting layer, where FIG. 5A shows a striped arrangement, FIG. 5Bshows a mosaic arrangement, and FIG. 5C shows a delta arrangement;

FIGS. 6A-6C are perspective views showing examples of an electronicapparatus using the light-emitting device according to the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An exemplary embodiment of a light-emitting device according to thepresent invention is described below.

As shown in FIG. 4, in a light-emitting device 1 according to thepresent exemplary embodiment, a plurality of scanning lines 101, aplurality of data lines 102 extended to a direction crossing thescanning lines 101 and a plurality of display power source lines 103extended in parallel for the data lines 102 are wired respectively.

Pixel areas A are formed in portions where the scanning lines 101 crossthe data lines 102.

A data driving circuit 104 having a shift register, a level shifter, avideo line and an analog switch is connected to the data lines 102. Ascan driving circuit 105 having the shift register and the level shifteris connected to the scanning lines 101.

Each pixel area A includes a switching thin film transistor 122 tosupply scanning signal to a gate electrode through the scanning lines101, a storage capacitor cap to store pixel signal supplied from thedata lines 102 through the switching thin film transistor 122, and adriving thin film transistor 123 to supply the pixel signal stored bythe corresponding storage capacitor cap to the gate electrode. Drivingcurrent is supplied from the display power source lines 103 whenlight-emitting elements 110 are electrically connected to the displaypower source lines 103 through the driving thin film transistors 123.Accordingly, the light-emitting elements 110 emit light.

When a scanning signal making the switching thin film transistors 122 ina turn-on state is supplied through the scanning lines 101, thelight-emitting device 1 is driven. Accordingly, the switching thin filmtransistors 122 are turned on. Data signal is supplied through theswitching thin film transistors 122 from the data lines 102 and isstored in the storage capacitors cap. The conduction state of thedriving thin film transistors 123 is set to be suitable for the amountof charges stored in the storage capacitor cap.

Driving current is supplied to the light-emitting elements 110 throughthe driving thin film transistors 123, pixel electrodes 111, and thedisplay power source lines 103, and thus the light-emitting elements 110emit light with the brightness in accordance with the amount of thesupplied driving current.

As shown in FIG. 1, a pixel R showing red light emission, a pixel Gshowing green light emission and a pixel B showing blue light emissionare provided corresponding to a display area 2 a of the light-emittingdevice 1. The scanning lines 101 (not shown), the data lines 102 (notshown) and display power source lines 103 (not shown) are providedcorresponding to the pixels R, G and B. Though not shown, the displaypower source lines 103 are connected to first to third power sourcelines 103G, 103B and 103R outside the display region 2 a.

The first power source line 103G is arranged in a L-shaped between twosides 4 a and 4 c among four sides forming the outer circumference of acircuit board 4 and the display area 2 a. The first portion 103G1 of thefirst power source line 103G is provided between a side 4 a facing aside 4 d mounted with a flexible substrate 5 and the display area 2 a,more specifically, between a test circuit 106 and the side 4 a. Thefirst portion 103G1 of the first power source line 103 is extended tothe direction from the side 4 c to a side 4 b which are two sides facingeach other among the four sides forming the outer circumference of thecircuit board 4. The circuit board 4 is connected to the display powersource lines 103 provided in a pixel G in the first portion 103G1.

The second portion 103G2 of the first power source line 103G is extendedfrom the side 4 d among the sides mounted with the flexible substrate 5of the circuit board 4 to the side 4 a facing the side 4 d. The firstportion 103G1 and the second portion 103G2 are connected to each otherso that the first power source line is curved.

The second power source line 103B is L-shaped like the first powersource line 103G. The second power source line 103B is provided betweenthe two sides 4 a and 4 c among the four sides forming the outercircumference of the circuit board 4 and the first power source line103G. The second power source line 103B is connected to the displaypower source line 103 provided in a pixel B in the first portion 103B1of the second power source line 103B between the first portion 103G1 ofthe first power source line 103G and the side 4 a.

The third power source line 103R is L-shaped like the first power sourceline 103G and the second power source line 103B. The first portion 103R1of the third power source line 103R is provided between the firstportion 103B1 of the second power source line 10313 and the side 4 afacing the side 4 d of the sides mounted with the flexible substrate andthe facing side 4 a among the four sides forming the outer periphery ofthe circuit board 4. The display power source line 103 provided in apixel R is connected to the first portion 103R1 of the third powersource line 103R.

The second portion 103R2 of the third power source line 103R is formedbetween the side 4 b and the display area 2 a. The side 4 b is a sidefacing the side 4 c among the sides formed by the second portions 103G2and 103B2 of the first power source line 103G and the second powersource line 103B.

A driving IC 6 is formed on the flexible substrate 5 mounted on the side4 d of the circuit board 4.

A test circuit 106 is provided between the display area 2 a and the side4 a. It is possible to examine the qualities and the defects oflight-emitting devices by the test circuit 106 during a manufacturingprocess or shipment process.

Two scanning line driving circuits 105 are provided between the displayarea 2 a and the second portion 103R2 of the third power source line103R and between the display area 2 a and the second portion 103G2 ofthe first power source line 103G, respectively.

Driving circuit control signal wiring lines 105 a to transmit a signalto control the scanning line driving circuit 105 and driving circuitpower source wiring lines 105 b are provided between the scanning linedriving circuit 105 and the second portion 103R2 of the third powersource line 103R and between the scanning line driving circuit 105 andthe second portion 103G2 of the first power source line 103G,respectively.

Cathode wiring lines 13 (counter electrode wiring lines or commonelectrode wiring lines) connected to a cathode 12 is provided among thethird power source line 103R, the second power source line 103B and thethree sides 4 a, 4 b and 4 c among the four sides forming the outercircumference of the circuit board 4. The cathode wiring lines areexternally U-shaped.

The first portion 13 a of the cathode wiring lines 13 is providedbetween the side 4 a facing the side 4 d mounted with the flexiblesubstrate 5 of the circuit board 4 and the first portion 103R1 of thethird power source line 103R, and is extended along the side 4 a. Thesecond portion 13 b and the third portion 13 c of the cathode wiringlines 13 are arranged along the sides 4 b and 4 c which are two sidesexcluding the sides 4 a and 4 d.

The cathode wiring lines 13 is preferably provided toward inside (thecenter of the circuit board 4) rather than the outer circumference 12 cof the cathode 12.

That is, the outer circumference 13 e of the cathode wiring lines 13(the upper edge of a first portion 13 a, the left edge of a secondportion 13 b and the right edge of a third portion 13 c) is preferablypositioned in the display area 2 a rather than in the outercircumference 12 c of the cathode 12.

The distance between the outer circumference 13 e of the cathode wiringlines 13 and the outer circumference 12 c of the cathode 12 ispreferably at least 1 mm (preferably at least 2 mm).

By such a construction, even though an error occurs in the positionwhere the cathode 12 is formed, it is possible to secure an area wherethe cathode 12 contacts the cathode wiring lines 13 and to let electricresistance in the portion where the cathode 12 is connected to thecathode wiring lines 13 be the desired electric resistance and less.

When the current density of the cathode 12 is not uniform, deteriorationof display quality, such as non-uniformity of display, may occur.Therefore, the cathode wiring lines 13 are preferably as wide aspossible in order to secure sufficient amount of current. For example,the width of the cathode wiring lines 13 is preferably at least thewidth of the power source line having the maximum width among the firstto third power source lines 103G, 103B and 103R. Furthermore, when thewidth of the cathode wiring lines 13 is at least the width obtained byadding the widths of the first to third power source lines 103G, 103Band 103R to each other, it is possible to reduce problems, such asnon-uniformity in display.

The cathode wiring lines 13 are connected to the driving IC 6 (a drivingcircuit) on the flexible substrate 5 through a connection wiring lines 5a together with the driving circuit control signal wiring lines 105 a,the driving circuit power source wiring lines 105 b and the first tothird power source line driving circuits 103G, 103B and 103R.

FIG. 2 is a schematic showing the section of the light-emitting device1. The light-emitting device includes the circuit board 4 and theelectro-optical layer 10 arranged on the circuit board 4.

Light-emitting elements 110 are provided in the display area 2 a of theelectro-optical layer 10. The light-emitting element 110 includes twofunctional layers, that is, a light-emitting layer 110 b and a holeinjecting/carrying layer 110 a, as shown in FIG. 3.

The light-emitting layer 110 b is a functional layer mainly in charge ofa light emission phenomenon where the hole injected from the holeinjecting/carrying layer 110 a is re-combined with electrons injectedfrom the cathode 12. In the present exemplary embodiment, thelight-emitting layers 110 b showing red, green and blue light emittingcolors, respectively, in accordance with a pixel R emitting red light, apixel G emitting green light and a pixel B emitting blue light, as shownin a plan view of the light-emitting device of FIG. 1, is arranged.

The light-emitting layer 110 b may be formed of organic-light-emittingmaterial, such as tris (8-quinolinol) and aluminum complex Alq.

The hole injecting/carrying layer 110 a to enhance the elementcharacteristics of an element, such as the light emitting efficiency andthe life of the light-emitting layer 110 b has a function of injectinghole into the light-emitting layer 110 b and transports the hole insidethe hole injecting/carrying layer 110 a.

The hole injecting/transporting layer 110 a is formed of polythiophenederivative, such as polyethylene dihydroxy thiophene, and a mixture,such as polystylene sulfonate.

The light-emitting layer 110 b and the hole injecting/carrying layer 110a are arranged between the pixel electrode 111 and the cathode 12 abovethe pixel electrode 111.

The pixel electrodes 111 are formed of, for example, ITO and arepatterned to be almost rectangular in a plane. The thickness of thepixel electrode 111 is preferably between 50 and 200 nm, in particular,about 150 nm.

The cathodes 12 are formed to cover at least the entire surface of thelight-emitting elements 11 in the display area 2 a, as shown in FIG. 2.In the present exemplary embodiment, the cathode 12 covers a dummy area2 d. The dummy area 2 d is used to stabilize the discharge amount of amaterial of forming the light-emitting element before forming thelight-emitting element 110 mainly using an inkjet process. That is, suchan area is to perform a test.

The cathode 12 may be single-layered, however, may be multi-layered likethe light-emitting device according to the present exemplary embodiment.For example, the cathode 12 may have a structure where a first layer 12a formed of calcium and a second layer 12 b formed of aluminum arestacked therein.

It is possible to provide an optical function to either the first layer12 a or the second layer 12 b. For example, it is possible toeffectively reflect light emitted by the light-emitting element 110 byforming the second layer 12 b of aluminum as described above. In thisregard, efficiency of extracting light from a base 2 is enhanced.

In the case of extracting light from the cathode 12, it is preferable tomake the cathodes 12 thin in order to secure sufficient opticaltransmittance. In this case, the cathode 12 is preferably formed of athin-filmed metal including elements such as Ag, Mg, an alloy of Ag andMg, Pt, Ir, Ni and Pd.

The cathode 12 may be formed by a vapor deposition method, a sputteringmethod and a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method.

A protective layer formed of SiO, SiO₂ and SiN may be formed on thecathode 12 in order to reduce or prevent invasion and transmission ofmaterials, such as water and oxygen, that deteriorate the cathodes 12,the light-emitting layers 110 b and the hole injecting/carrying layers110 a.

The light-emitting layer 110 b and the hole injecting/carrying layer 110a are separated from the light-emitting layer 110 b and the holeinjecting/carrying layer 110 a of the light-emitting element 10 adjacentto a bank 112. The bank 112 is formed of a plurality of layers, as shownin FIG. 3. An active element layer 14 is formed by stacking an inorganicbank layer 112 a (a first bank layer) and an organic bank layer 112 b (asecond bank layer) positioned in the cathode 12.

Some of the inorganic bank layer 112 a and some of the organic banklayer 112 b are formed to overlap the edge of the pixel electrode 111.

The inorganic bank layer 112 a is formed more toward the center of thepixel electrode 111 than the organic bank layer 112 b.

The inorganic bank layer 112 a is preferably formed of inorganicmaterials such as SiO₂ and TiO₂. The thickness of the inorganic banklayer 112 a is between 50 and 200 nm, in particular, about 150 nm.

The organic bank layer 112 b is formed of heat-proof and solvent-proofmaterials such as acryl resin and polyamide. The thickness of theorganic bank layer 112 b is preferably between 0.1 and 3.5 μm, inparticular, about 2 μm.

A sealing substrate 34 is provided above the electro-optical layer 10 inorder to reduce, suppress or prevent the transmission of materials, suchas water and oxygen in outside air, which deteriorate the cathodes 12 orthe light-emitting elements 110, into the electro-optical layers 10. Thesealing substrate 34 is formed of, for example, glass, quartz, a metaland synthetic resin. In the case of extracting the light of thelight-emitting element 110 from the cathode 12, the sealing substrate 34is preferably formed of materials having sufficient opticaltransmittance, such as glass, quartz and synthetic resin.

A concave portion 34 a to receive the electro-optical layer 10 isprovided in the electro-optical layer 10 of the sealing substrate 34. Itis preferable to arrange a getter 35 to absorb water and oxygen in theconcave portion 34 a.

The sealing substrate 34 is connected to the circuit board 4 through asealing resin 33. The sealing resin 33 is preferably formed of materialsthat attach the sealing substrate 34 to the circuit board 4,furthermore, materials that reduce, suppress or prevent the transmissionof materials, such as water and oxygen, which deteriorate the cathodes12 and the light-emitting elements 110, into the inside of theelectro-optical layers 10.

The sealing resin 33 is formed of, for example, thermosetting resin andultraviolet setting resin. In particular, the sealing resin 33 ispreferably formed of epoxy resin which is a kind of the thermosettingresin.

The outer circumference 12 c of the cathode 12 is preferably held insidethe sealing resin 33 in order to maintain sufficient sealingcharacteristic. However, in order to narrow a frame, it is preferablethat some of the sealing resin 33 overlaps the outer circumference 12 cof the cathode 12 and that the cathode 12 is not extended to the outsideof the sealing resin 33, as shown in FIG. 2. That is, it is preferablethat the cathode 12 does not reach the outer circumference 33 a of thesealing resin.

The circuit board 4 includes an active element layer 14. The cathodewiring lines 13, the first to third power source lines 103R, 103G and103B, the driving circuit control signal wiring lines 105 a, the drivingcircuit power source wiring lines 105 b, the data lines 102 (not shown),the scanning lines 101 (not shown), the display power source lines 103(not shown), the driving thin film transistor 123, the switching thinfilm transistor 122 (not shown), the thin film transistor 124 includedin the scanning line driving circuit 105 provided between the displayarea 2 a and a side forming the outer circumference of the circuit board4, and a thin film transistor (not shown) for the test circuit 106 areprovided in the active element layer 14. The data lines 102 (not shown),the scanning lines 101 (not shown), the display power source lines 103(not shown), the driving thin film transistor 123, and the switchingthin film transistor 122 (not shown) are provided corresponding to thedisplay area 2 a, as shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cathode wiring lines 13, the first to thirdpower source lines 103R, 103G and 103B, the thin film transistor 124,the driving circuit control signal wiring lines 105 a, the drivingcircuit power source wiring lines 105 b, the data lines 102 (not shown),the scanning lines 101 (not shown), the display power source lines 103(not shown), the driving thin film transistor 123, and the switchingthin film transistor 122 are covered with the cathode 12. The thin filmtransistor 124, the driving circuit control signal wiring lines 105 a,and the driving circuit power source wiring lines 105 b are included inthe scanning line driving circuit. The data lines 102 (not shown), thescanning lines 101 (not shown), the display power source lines 103 (notshown), the driving thin film transistor 123 and the switching thin filmtransistor 122, which are provided corresponding to the display area 2 ashown in FIG. 1. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the thin film transistorincluded in the test circuit 106 is preferably covered with the cathode12.

The cathode wiring lines 13 include a plurality of conductive layers(wiring layers) blocked by a first interlayer insulating film 144 a.That is, the cathode wiring lines 13 is Formed of the plurality ofconductive layers and a conductive material for electrically connectingcorresponding the plurality of conductive layers to each other. Thecathode wiring lines 13 overlaps the position where the sealingsubstrate 34 is connected to the circuit board 4. That is, the cathodewiring lines 13 is provided below the sealing resin 33.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cathode wiring lines 13, the first to thirdpower source lines 103R, 103G and 103B, the thin film transistor (notshown), the driving circuit control signal wiring lines 105 a, thedriving circuit power source wiring lines 105 b, the data lines 102 (notshown), the scanning lines 101 (not shown), the display power sourcelines 103 (not shown), the driving thin film transistor 123, and theswitching thin film transistor 122 are covered with the cathode 12. Thethin film transistor (not shown), the driving circuit control signalwiring lines 105 a, and the driving circuit power source wiring lines105 b are included in the scanning line driving circuit. The data lines102 (not shown), the scanning lines 101 (not shown), the display powersource lines 103 (not shown), the driving thin film transistor 123 andthe switching thin film transistor 122, which are provided correspondingto the display area 2 a shown in FIG. 1. Although not shown in FIG. 2,the thin film transistor included in the test circuit 106 is preferablycovered with the cathode 12.

More specifically, the conductive layer may be formed of Al, Mo, Ta, Ti,W, Cu, TiN and an alloy of Al, Mo, Ta, Ti, W, Cu and TiN.

The first to third power source lines 103G, 103B and 103R are formed ofa plurality of conductive layers blocked by the first interlayerinsulating film 144 a. That is, the first to third power source lines103G, 103B and 103R are formed of the plurality of conductive layers anda conductive material electrically connecting the correspondingconductive layers to each other.

At least some of at least any one of the first to third power sourcelines preferably overlaps the position where the sealing substrate 34 isconnected to the circuit board 4.

The conductive layer may be formed of the material of forming thescanning lines 101 and/or the material of forming the data lines 102.More specifically, the conductive layer may be formed of Al, Mo, Ta, Ti,W, Cut, TiN and an alloy of Al, Mo, Ta, Ti, W, Cu and TiN.

The driving circuit control signal wiring lines 105 a and the drivingcircuit power source wiring lines 105 b are provided on the firstinterlayer insulating film 144 a and are formed on the same layer as thelayer of the data lines 102 and/or the layer of the display power sourcelines 103 or by the same process as the process of forming the datalines 102 and/or the process of forming the display power source lines103.

The driving circuit control signal wiring lines 105 a and the drivingcircuit power source wiring lines 105 b may be formed of employing thesame materials as the materials of the first to third power sourcelines.

The scanning lines 101, the data lines 102 and the display power sourcelines 103 are provided in the first interlayer insulating film 144 a oron the first interlayer insulating film 144 a.

The driving thin film transistor 123 includes a semiconductor film 141.A drain area 141 a, a source area 141 b and a channel area 141 c areformed in the semiconductor film 141 by injecting highly concentratedboron ions.

The semiconductor film 141 is formed on a base protective film 2 c. Thebase protective film 2 c reduces or suppresses the transmission ofmaterials, such as moving ions, oxygen and water from the base 2, whichdeteriorate the thin film transistor.

A gate insulating film 142 covering the semiconductor film 141 is formedon the semiconductor film 141. A gate electrode 143 formed of Al, Mo,Ta, Ti and W is formed on the gate insulating film 142. Some of the gateelectrode 143 and the gate insulating film 142 are covered with thefirst interlayer insulating film 144 a.

As shown in FIG. 3, contact holes 145 and 146 for connecting drain andsource areas 141 a and 141 b of the semiconductor film 141 to the pixelelectrode 111 and the display power source lines 103, respectively, areformed in the first and second interlayer insulating films 144 a and 144b.

The drain area 141 a is connected to the pixel electrode 111 provided onthe second interlayer insulating film 144 b through the contact hole 145formed in the second interlayer insulating film 144 b. The source area141 b is connected to the display power source lines 103 through thecontact hole 146 formed in the first interlayer insulating film 144 a.

It is possible to obtain the following effects by the light-emittingdevice 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment.

It is possible to secure sufficient area where the cathode wiring lines13 contacts the cathode 12 and to reduce or minimize electric resistance(contact resistance) between the cathode wiring lines 13 and the cathode12 because the first to third portions 13 a, 13 b and 13 c of thecathode wiring lines 13 are extended in left to right or up to downdirection.

Accordingly, it is possible to reduce or prevent the reduction of theamount of current supplied to the light-emitting element 110 due tovoltage drop, which is caused by the electric resistance.

Therefore, it is possible to reduce or prevent the deterioration ofbrightness, non-uniformity of display and contrast in the light-emittingelement 110 and to obtain remarkable display characteristic.

It is possible to significantly reduce the distance between thelight-emitting element 110 in any position and the cathode wiring lines13 because the cathode wiring lines 13 is formed above and below, and onthe left and right of the display area 2 a so as to surround the displayarea 2 a.

For example, in the light-emitting element 110 positioned above thedisplay area 2 a, current that passed through the light-emitting element110 flows through the first portion 13 a. In the light-emitting element10 positioned below the display area 2 a, current flows through thesecond or third portions 13 b or 13 c.

Accordingly, it is possible to reduce unbalance in the amount ofsupplied current due to the position of the light-emitting element 110.

Therefore, it is possible to uniform the brightness of the display area2 a.

Because the cathode wiring lines 13 is provided inside (the center ofthe substrate) rather than the outer circumference 12 c of the cathode12, even though a little error occurs in the position where the cathode12 is formed (for example, even though the position where the cathode 12is formed deviates in up to down or left to right direction), it ispossible to form the cathode 12 so as to cover the cathode wiring lines13.

Accordingly, it is possible to secure sufficient area where the cathode12 contacts the cathode wiring lines 13. Therefore, it is possible toreduce or prevent the increase of the electric resistance between thecathode 12 and the cathode wiring lines 13 and to reduce or prevent thedeterioration of light emitting brightness.

Because the display area 2 a, the scanning driving circuit 105, thedriving circuit control signal wiring lines 105 a, the driving circuitpower source wiring lines 105 b, the test circuit 106, the first tothird power source lines 103G, 103B and 103R and the cathode wiringlines 13 are formed to be covered with the cathode 12, it is possible toreduce or prevent them from being exposed to air. Accordingly, it ispossible to prolong period of time where the light-emitting device isused.

Because the display area 2 a, the scanning line driving circuit 105 andthe test circuit 106 are covered with the cathode 12, it is possible toreduce or prevent the malfunction of the thin film transistors includedin the circuits due to light.

It is possible to enhance tolerance of the light-emitting device againststatic electricity. Charges injected by static electricity can berapidly removed through the cathode 12.

The cathode wiring lines 13 is arranged more toward the outercircumference of the circuit board 4 than the first to third powersource lines 103G, 103B and 103R. The cathode 12 connected to thecathode wiring lines 13 is formed to cover the first to third powersource lines 103G, 103B and 103R.

Accordingly, it is possible to form electric capacitance between thecathode 12 and the first to third power source lines 103G, 103B and103R. Even though the voltages of the first to third power source lines103G, 103B and 103R change from predetermined values, it is possible tomitigate the change by the corresponding capacitance.

In the light-emitting device 1 shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, the cathodewiring lines 13 is formed of the first to third portions 13 a, 13 b and13 c in a U-shaped. However, according to the present invention, theshape of the cathode wiring lines is not restricted to such theU-shaped.

In the cathode wiring lines according to the present invention, at leastsome portion is preferably extended to a predetermined direction. Forexample, the cathode wiring lines may include any one among the firstthrough third portions 13 a, 13 b and 13 c. The cathode wiring lines mayinclude two among the first to third portions 13 a, 13 b and 13 c.

The cathode wiring lines may be rectangular to have a fourth portionextended horizontally along a lower side 4 d below the circuit board 4further to the first to third portions 13 a, 13 b and 13 c, as shown inFIG. 1.

The shape of the cathode wiring lines is not restricted straight lines.For example, at least some portions of the cathode wiring lines may beformed in curved lines.

According to the above exemplary embodiment, the pixel electrode 111 isan anode. However, even though the pixel electrode 111 is a cathode andthe cathode 12 is an anode, it does not deviate from the scope of thepresent invention.

In the light-emitting device 1 shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, thelight-emitting elements 110 of the pixel R, the pixel G and the pixel Bare arranged in stripe. However, the present invention is not restrictedto such stripe arrangement. The light-emitting elements 110 may bearranged to have various arrangements. For example, a mosaic arrangementshown in FIG. 5B and a delta arrangement shown in FIG. 5C can be adoptedother than the stripe arrangement shown in FIG. 5A.

A detailed example of an electronic apparatus having the light-emittingdevice 1 is described below.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing an example of a mobile telephone.In FIG. 6A, reference numeral 600 denotes the main body of a mobiletelephone and reference numeral 601 denotes a display unit using thelight-emitting device.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view showing an example of a portableinformation processing apparatus, such as a word processor and apersonal computer (PC), for example. In FIG. 6B, reference numerals 700,701, 702 and 703 denote an information processing apparatus, an inputunit, such as a keyboard, a display unit using the above light-emittingdevice and the main body of the information processing apparatus,respectively.

FIG. 6C is a perspective view showing an example of a wrist watch typeelectronic apparatus. In FIG. 6C, reference numeral 800 denotes the mainbody of a watch and reference numeral 801 denotes a display unit usingthe light-emitting device.

The aforementioned electronic apparatus has an excellent displaycharacteristic because the electronic apparatus includes the displayusing the light-emitting device according to the present invention.

1. A light emitting device comprising: a base; a pixel electrodedisposed above the base; a counter electrode opposite to the pixelelectrode; a light emitting element disposed between the pixel electrodeand the counter electrode, the light emitting element emitting a lightin response to a current; a power source line for supplying the currentto the pixel electrode; and a counter electrode line connected to thecounter electrode, the counter electrode line being disposed between thepower source line and an edge of the base, not to intersect with thepower source line, a width of the counter electrode line being largerthan a width of the power source line.
 2. An electronic apparatuscomprising the light emitting device according to claim
 1. 3. A lightemitting device comprising: a pixel electrode disposed in a displayarea; a counter electrode opposite to the pixel electrode; a lightemitting element disposed between the pixel electrode and the counterelectrode, the light emitting element emitting a light in response to acurrent; a counter electrode line connected to the counter electrode;and a power source line for supplying the current to the pixelelectrode, the power source line being disposed further toward thedisplay area than the counter electrode line, not to intersect with thecounter electrode line, a width of the counter electrode line beinglarger than a width of the power source line.
 4. The light emittingdevice according to claim 3 further comprising: a scan line; and a scanline driving circuit disposed between the display area and the powersource line.
 5. The light emitting device according to claim 4, thecounter electrode covering the scan line driving circuit.
 6. Anelectronic apparatus comprising the light emitting device according toclaim
 3. 7. A light emitting device comprising: a pixel electrodedisposed in a display area; a counter electrode opposite to the pixelelectrode; a light emitting element disposed between the pixel electrodeand the counter electrode, the light emitting element emitting a lightin response to a current; a counter electrode line connected to thecounter electrode; and a power source line supplying the current to thepixel electrode; wherein a width of the counter electrode line is largerthan a width of the power source line.
 8. A light emitting devicecomprising: a base having a first side opposite to a second side and athird side opposite to a fourth side; a pixel electrode disposed abovethe base; a counter electrode opposite to the pixel electrode; a lightemitting element disposed between the pixel electrode and the counterelectrode, the light emitting element emitting a light in response to acurrent; a power source line for supplying the current to the pixelelectrode; and a counter electrode line connected to the counterelectrode, the counter electrode line being disposed following the firstside, the second side and the third side, not to intersect with thepower source line.
 9. The light emitting device according to claim 8,further comprising: a flexible substrate mounted on the fourth side ofthe base.
 10. The light emitting device according to claim 8, thecounter electrode line being disposed in a same layer as the powersource line.
 11. An electronic apparatus comprising the light emittingdevice according to claim
 8. 12. A light emitting device comprising: apixel electrode disposed in a display area; a counter electrode oppositeto the pixel electrode; a light emitting element disposed between thepixel electrode and the counter electrode, the light emitting elementemitting a light in response to a current; a counter electrode lineconnected to the counter electrode; and a power source line forsupplying the current to the pixel electrode, an entirety of the powersource line being disposed further toward the display area than thecounter electrode line, not to intersect with the counter electrodeline.
 13. An electronic apparatus comprising the light emitting deviceaccording to claim 12.